Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has begun receiving a monthly pension of Sh1.32 million, while the State retains another Sh655 million for a fully furnished office, limousines, and salaries for scores of aides while he retires from party politics.
According to Treasury documents, Mr Kenyatta began receiving the Sh1.32 million monthly salary on December 1 and was paid a lump sum of Sh39.6 million.
To access a retirement benefits budget of Sh655 million for a fully furnished office, aides, and luxury cars, the former president should formally retire from party politics.
It is believed that the State is attempting to avoid violating sections of the law that prohibit a retired president from holding office in a political party for six months after retirement.
“A retired president shall not hold office in any political party for more than six months after ceasing to hold office as president,” says the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
Mr Kenyatta was offered a five-year term as leader of the Jubilee Party in February last year and is listed as chairman of the council of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, the vehicle veteran Opposition leader Raila Odinga used to launch his fifth unsuccessful bid for Kenya’s presidency.
Regardless of political affiliation, the law allows the Treasury to provide a retired president with a monthly pension of Sh693,000 as well as other benefits such as house allowance, fuel, entertainment, and utilities.
“The former president applied for his pension a few weeks after President Ruto’s swearing-in. We processed and made the first payment in December,” said a top Treasury official, who does not have the authority to speak publicly.
A retired president’s monthly pension is set at 80 percent of his pensionable salary, which is equivalent to 60 percent of the sitting president’s monthly salary of Sh1.44 million.
He also receives fuel, housing, and entertainment allowances, bringing his total benefits above the salaries and allowances of top executives at state-owned firms such as KenGen, Kenya-Re, and Kenya Power.
Retired presidents are also entitled to four cars, including two limousines, which are replaced every four years. They have full medical cover and fully furnished offices.
